JPS6039715A - Interlocking switch for electric product - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) This invention relates generally to electrical appliances, and more particularly to a microwave oven having a frame defining a cooking chamber and a door hinged to the frame. . More particularly, the present invention relates to such a product using an interlock switch mounted on the door formwork and actuated by probe means aligned with the door formwork and extending from the door.

The interlock switch enables the range to operate only when the range door is fully closed and latched, thereby providing the desired high level of safety.

A BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Interlocking switches used for the above purpose generally consist of two electrically connected switches, both of which must be operated to transmit power to the range.

The value of such interlocking switches is, of course, diminished if one of the two electrically connected switches is forced open and left closed due to equipment malfunction or some other mimetic condition.

When this occurs, energizing the unaffected sui-nochi is the only action required to deliver operating power to the range. This, of course, negates many of the safety benefits associated with conventional interlock switches.

As a measure to solve this problem, two electrically connected
A fuse is installed in the circuit that includes one of the switches. If this switch is left closed, the fuse will blow before operating power is supplied to the microwave. Although some of the potential hazards can be eliminated, interlocking switches are still subject to problems such as inefficiency, relatively high cost, and potential hazards.

(Objective and Structure of the Invention) The present invention is directed to an improved interlocking switch for use in electrical appliances such as microwave ovens. Electrical products are 1-
Take this Frame 1, which limits the formwork of No. 7;
[Comprising a carved door and a probe attached to the door in alignment with the door formwork.]

The interlock switch opens a housing attached to the door formwork. A common switch element, a second switch element and a third switch element are provided within the housing. The common switch element has a first contact portion on one side and a second contact portion on the other side, the first contact portion being closer to one end than the other end of the common switch element, and the second contact portion being closer to the one end than the other end of the common switch element. Closer to one end of the element than the other. The second switch element has a contact surface movable into contact with and away from the first contact portion of the common switch element by operation of the probe, and the third switch element has a contact surface movable to contact and separate from the first contact portion of the common switch element by operation of the probe.
It has a movable contact surface so as to come into contact with and separate from the 11th part. This configuration provides a more reliable, economical, efficient, and compact motion switch than those previously used.

Preferred embodiments of the invention summarized above will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Embodiments of the Invention Referring first to section t qt, a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated. That is, an electrical appliance such as a microwave oven 10 has a frame 12 defining a chamber 11 into which food to be heated by the oven 10 is placed.
has. The frame 12 further includes a door form 13 within which an interlock switch 20 is mounted. Range 10 further includes a range door 15 that is generally hinged to frame 12 . Probe means 16, preferably consisting of a fixed pin member 17 and a movable locking pawl 18, are mounted near the free end of the range door 15. Pin member 17 and connection 1
1. The pawls 18 are preferably aligned with the door formwork 13, particularly with the first actuator 40 and the second actuator 50 attached to the interlock switch 20, respectively. As will be explained in more detail later, the pin member 17 is connected to the range door 15.
The first actuator 40 is actuated when the locking claw 18t is partially closed, and the second actuator 50 is actuated when the range door 15 is completely closed and locked.

- Probe means 1 consisting of pin member 17 and locking claw 18
The operation of No. 6 is easiest to understand by referring to FIG. 5.6. When the range door 15 is closed, the fixing pin member 17
Contact surface 42 of actuator 40 and slider 4
4 in the horizontal direction (see the horizontal arrow in FIG. 6) relative to the coil spring 46 by 1°. Movement of slider 44 causes several switch elements attached to interlock switch 71' to operate in a manner to be described in detail below.

Similarly, locking pawl 18 operates second actuator 50 when range door 15 is fully closed and locked. In other words, referring further to Figure 5.6, interlocking switch 2
0 includes a housing 22 having a rear wall 24. Rear wall 24 defines a notch 36 and a latch 39 extending therein. The latch 39 has an angular surface 37 and a horizontal surface 38 that sequentially contact the locking surface 19 of the locking pawl 18 . When the locking pawl 18 begins to enter the notch 36 in the rear wall 24, the locking surface 19 is biased downwardly by the squared surface 37 of the latch 39 when the range door 15 is closed. When the locking pawl 18 further enters the notch 36, the horizontal surface 38 is aligned with the locking pawl 1.
8 until it coincides with the notch 31 formed in the locking surface 19.
slides along the horizontal surface 38 of the latch 39. horizontal plane 3
8 and the notch 31 (Then, the locking claw 18 springs upward (see the vertical arrow in FIG. 6), and as a result, the range door 15 is completely closed, and the locking claw 18 is locked by the latch 39. This action causes the locking surface 19 to engage the contact surface 52 of the actuator 50, causing the actuator 50 to operate.

As can be seen from FIG. 5.6, in this preferred embodiment, the actuator 40.50 is operated by an interlocking switch, the actuator 40.50, without actually entering the interior of the housing 22 of the device 20. In fact, throughout the entire operation of the sui-nochi 20, the actuators 40, 50 isolate the external environment of the sui-nochi 20 from the interior of the housing 22. As a result, door probe abrasive particles and other (Foreign objects cannot easily enter the housing 22 and do not interfere with the operation of various parts within the housing.)

Furthermore, the above arrangement may reduce by a large factor the likelihood that access to the interior of the housing 22 will be gained with an external tool (such as a knife or screwdriver 7) by prying, inadvertent or accidental action.

Operation of actuator 50 by locking pawl 18 into latch 39 moves actuator 50 from the position shown in FIG. 5 to the position shown in FIG. Furthermore, several switch elements attached to the interlock switch 20 are accordingly operated in a manner that will be explained in more detail below. However, from the above description, the movement order of the actuators 40.50 is such that the first actuator 4
0 is operated by the fixed pin part 'Jf)I' 17, while the hinged door! It should be understood that the second actuator 50 will not be operated by the locking pawl until the locking tab 5 is fully closed and locked.

Individual components of interlocking switch 20 and actuator 4
The sequence of operations in response to 0.50 is shown in FIGS. 2-4. That is, FIG. 2 shows the positions of the switch elements constituting the interlocking switch 20 when the range door 15 is open, and FIG. 3 shows the positions of those switch elements when the range door 15 is partially closed. Figure 4 shows the switch positions when the range door 15 is fully closed.
Indicates the position of the notch element.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the housing 22 of the interlock switch 20 includes, in addition to the rear wall 24, a pair of side walls 26, 28, a bottom wall 25, and a plurality of fasteners 32 defining an interior front wall 34.
It is shown as including. Extending outwardly from the side walls 26,28 are a pair of mounting ears 29 which are used to facilitate mounting of the interlock switch 20 to the door form 13 of the range 10.

The interlock switch 20 further includes a fixed barrier 70, which preferably comprises a fixed member extending upwardly from the bottom wall 25 near the center of the housing 22. A stand 54 is pivotally attached to the bottom wall 25 of the housing 22, and the stand 5.0.1 of ε is approximately limited by the fixed barrier 70 when the range door 15 is in the fully closed position of FIG. It now has a movable barrier 60 extending upwardly from the platform along the same line. A pair of substantially parallel flanges) A67.68J), movable barrier 60
extending upwardly from the platform 54 across opposite ends of the pedestal 54, respectively. Also extending upwardly from the platform 54 are three fixing pins 61, 62 and 63, the function of which will be described below.

Additionally, extending upwardly from base 54 is another movable barrier 64 that extends generally in the direction shown by stationary barrier 70 when range 15 is in the fully closed position of FIG.

Another barrier 64 terminates in a hub 66 attached to a post 65 extending upwardly from the bottom wall 25. Actuator 50 is preferably integrally formed with pedestal 54 near the end of pedestal 54 opposite hub 66 . Therefore, the city ° Tsume 1
The movement of the actuator 50 in response to the movement of the stand 5
4 around the support column 65. And this stand 54
The movement of 2.63 causes the movable barrier 60 and the further barrier 64 to move correspondingly.

The housing 22 further includes a slider guide 45 through which the slider 44 is movable back and forth in response to the operation of the actuator 50 by means of the fixed pin member 17. A pair of actuator pins 47, 48 extend upwardly from the slider 44, and an actuator arm 49 extends laterally from the slider 44. Actuator pin 4
7.48 and actuator arm 490 functions will be described later.

A plurality of electrically conductive switch elements 100-109 are provided within the housing 22 of the interlock switch 20. Switch elements 100-106 and switch elements 108-10
9 is substantially 1-held between adjacent fixtures 32 with fixed ends 110~] 16 and 118~119 and free ends 120~ and 126 and 128~1 (with the exception of switch element 108).
29 each.

The series acting switch 22 further includes an electrically conductive switch element 10 which is preferably integrally formed with the switch element 108.
Contains 7. That is, in this embodiment, switch element 1
07 has a free end 127 and an interconnection end 128 that connects with the interconnection end 117 of the switch element 108 . Each of the switch elements 100-1'09 is mounted within the housing 20 of the coupling switch 20 with each edge extending therefrom, optionally functioning as a leaf spring;
Preferably, it is formed from an electrically conductive material such as copper.

In the preferred embodiment shown, switch element 100.10
1 forms part of the circuit for auxiliary devices such as lamps (not shown), and is normally open or in a "conducting" state when the range doors 1 and 5 are in the open position of FIG. . Therefore, when the range door 15 is open, the switch element 10
The lamps in the circuit containing 0 and 101 are lit.

Switch elements 101 and 102 also preferably form part of a primary interlocking circuit for microwave oven 10.
When the door 15 is in the open position of FIG. 2, it is normally in an open or "blocked" condition.

Therefore, the switch element 10L 102 is set to range 1A1.
5 is open (prevents operating power from being supplied to the microwave oven 10) and switches to the "conducting" state only when the door is fully closed and locked.

Switch elements 103 and 104 preferably form part of a logic circuit (not shown) that controls many operating parameters and sequence aromas of the oven, in accordance with well-known microwave oven operation. As shown in FIG.
04 is normally in a "shutoff" state when the range door 15 is open, thereby causing the logic circuit to operate interrogating that state.

Switch elements 105 and 106 are two for microwave oven 10.
Forms part of the next interlocking circuit. Switch element 101.102
Similar to the primary interlocking circuit formed by
It is in the "cut off" state and switches to the "conducting" state only when the range door 15 is completely closed and locked.

Switch elements 106 and 107 form part of a monitoring circuit including a fuse (not shown) and are normally in a "conducting" state when the range door is open.

According to the conventional interlocking switch elements, due to malfunction, the sui-nochi elements 105 and 106 remain closed, etc., and the switch element 1
If 06.107 and switch element 105.106 close simultaneously, the fuse will blow and the operating type will be in range 1 even though all other conditions for normal switch operation are met.
0 is prevented. Switch element 106, sometimes referred to herein as a common switch element, has a monitor side 106a and an interlock side 10[i]b. A portion 138 on the monitor side 106a of the switch element 106 is connected to the switch element 10 when the range door 15 is open.
7 near the free end 127. on the other hand,
Part 1 on the interlocking side 106b of the switch element 1.06
32 is when the range door 15 is completely closed and locked;
Contacting portion 134 of switch element 105 .

Finally, when the E/engine door 15 is open, it is normally “shut off”.
Switch elements 108 and 109 in the state form part of a second auxiliary circuit that may also include a lamp (not shown). In the preferred embodiment shown, switch element 108.1
09 is located lower in the housing 22 than any of the other switch elements 100-107.

That is, the switch elements 108, 109 and the housing 22
is located in a plane slightly above the bottom wall 25 of
Switch elements 100-107 are located in a plane near the top of housing 22.

The bus 9 preferably comprises a piece 94 formed integrally with the switch element 102 and a piece 92 formed integrally with the switch element 106.
0 serves to electrically interconnect both of these switching elements. For safety purposes, the bus 90 has gaps 7 at the edges.
5.77, and is held substantially between the inner front wall 341 on the one hand and the front ends 72 of the fixed barrier 70 and the front ends of the movable barrier 64, ie the hub 66, on the other hand. The integral pieces 92,94 forming the lotus 90 are preferably formed by bends of the switch elements 102,106 such that the tips of the bends are in opposing relationship. These ends of the integral pieces 92,94 are then electrically interconnected in any conventional manner.

The fixed barrier 70 and the movable barrier 60, together with portions of the rear wall 24, side walls 26, and interior front wall 34, form a first compartment 80 within the housing 22 of the interlock switch O. 1st painting room 80
serves to confine within its compartment any pieces of the interlocking bag W20 that have broken or come apart within the housing 22 due to component damage, abuse, or manufacturing error. By isolating the broken pieces in this manner, they cannot accidentally fall into portions of the housing 22 outside the confines of the first compartment 80, thus shorting out other switch elements or components. There is no fear of doing so or interfering with them. For the same purpose, a fixed barrier 70 , a movable barrier 60 and a further movable barrier 64 , together with parts of the rear wall 24 and the inner front wall 34 , define a second compartment 85 isolated from other parts of the housing 22 . Form. Furthermore, another movable barrier 6
4 together with portions of rear wall 24, side walls 28, and interior front wall 34 form a third compartment 88 isolated from other portions of housing 22.

The operation of the interlocking switch 20 will be explained next. range door 1
5 is open, the switch elements of interlock switch 20 have the configuration shown in FIG. In this configuration, pin 61 applies a force on switch element 101 generally in the direction of arrow 140. Similarly, the pin 63 applies a force to the switch element 105 in substantially the same direction as the arrow 14 +>i. On the other hand, pin 62
applies a force to switch element 103 in the direction opposite to arrow 140.

Therefore, when the actuator 50 is actuated by the locking pawl 18 (FIG. 6), the force opposing the movement of the actuator 50 is substantially reduced. That is, assuming that the magnitude of the force on each pin 61 , 62 and 63 is approximately equal, the pins 61 , 62 and 63 opposite to the movement of actuator 50
The combined force is approximately one-third of the force that would be obtained if the forces applied by the three pins 61, 62, 63 were all in the same direction as arrow 140.

When the range door 15 begins to close, the fixing pin member 17 and the actuator 40 are operated. Along with this,
The slider 44 and thus the actuator pins 47,48 and the actuator arm 49 move from the position shown in FIG. 2 to the position shown in FIG. Therefore, while the switching elements 11) 9 move from the "blocking" position to the "conducting" position, the switching elements 107 and 106 move to the "conducting" position.
The switch element 106 moves closer to the switch element 105 (but not yet in contact with it).

The range door 15 is completely closed and the locking claw 18 is locked to the latch 3.
9 to 1 (FIG. 6), each switch element
The position changes from the position shown in the figure to the position shown in FIG.

That is, the switch elements 105, 106 are in contact with each other. Switch elements 103, 104 are moved from the "block" position to "
the switch elements 100 and 101 are moved to the “conducting” position and the switch elements
Move from the "conducting" position to the "blocking" position.

Effects of the Invention The interlocking switch described above provides many efficiency, savings and safety features when used in electrical appliances such as microwave oven 10. For example, using the switch element 106 as a cantilevered common switch element with one side of the switch element 106 in contact with the switch element 107 and the other side of the switch element 106 in contact with the switch element 105 may improve reliability and efficiency. The advantages of economy and compactness are combined in one switch. Additionally, the use of fixed and movable barriers as described above isolates from each other parts of the interlock switch that may break or come apart within the housing 22 due to component damage, abuse, or manufacturing errors. As such, these pieces will not accidentally fall into parts of the housing 22 that fall outside the boundaries of the confined compartment and may short-circuit or damage other switch elements or components. No interference. Furthermore, by holding the bus 90 with a gap 75,77 and integrally forming it from each portion of the switch element 102,106, the bus 90 can be broken and electrically connected to other components of the interlock switch 20. The possibility of injuring a physical or mechanical member 1u is greatly reduced.

As described above, the above-described interlocking switch suitable for use in electrical appliances such as microwave ovens has a number of benefits and advantages not previously available. However, certain modifications and embodiments of the above-described switch and its operating environment will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. It is therefore intended that all such modifications and embodiments be included within the scope of the claims.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an electrical product implementing the present invention; Fig. 2
The figure is a schematic plan view of the interlocking switch used in the electrical product shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a schematic plan view of the interlocking switch shown in Fig. 2;
Figure 4 is a schematic plan view of the interlocking switch shown in Figure 2, shown in the fully activated state; Figure 5 is a schematic plan view of the interlock switch shown in Figure 1; An enlarged schematic perspective view of a part of the product and the interlocking switch; and FIG. 1 is an enlarged schematic perspective view of a part of the interlocking switch shown in FIG. 5. ...Frame means, 13...1 frame, 15... Range door, 16... Probe means, 17... First probe (
fixed bottle member), 18... second probe (movable locking claw), 20... interlocking switch, 22... housing, 40, 50... actuator means (40... first actuator, 50 ...second actuator),
44...Slider, 45...Sliding guide, 47.4
8... Actuator pin, 49... Actuator anim, ■-5... Interlocking (third) switch element, 1
06... Common (second) switch element, 107... Monitor (second or first) switch element, 106a...
Monitor side, 106b... Interlocking side, 108.109.
... January switch element, 116 ... Fixed end, 126
...Free end, 132...Part of the interlocking side of the common switch element (second contact part), 134...Part of the interlocking switch element (contact 71j7 surface), 136...Part of the monitor switch element (Contact surface), 13B...Monitor 4 of the common switch element! Part of 11 (first contact portion). FIG, 1゜FIG, 3゜

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. Frame means forming a door jamb, a door attached to the frame means, and a housing of a probe hand interlock switch attached to the door in tight alignment with the door; In interlocking switches for electrical appliances having: 1. A common switch element installed in the housing and having a monitor side, an interlocking side, a free end and a fixed end; and has a part that electrically contacts a part of the monitor side of the common switch element when the door is open.
2. A monitor element such that said part is located closer to the fixed end of the common switch element than to the free end thereof; an interlocking switch element that does not come into contact with the common switch element when open; An interlocking switch comprising: actuator means for bringing parts of the interlocking side of the common switch closer to the free end than the fixed end into electrical contact with each other. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the probe means includes a first probe fO and a second probe, and the actuator means includes a first actuator and a second actuator. 3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first probe is a fixing member and the second probe is a locking claw. 4. The interlocking switch element and the common switch element are brought into electrical contact with each other when the first probe and the second probe are received by the housing. Device. 5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein electrical contact between the monitor switch element and the common switch element is broken only when the first probe is received by a housing. 66 Frame means forming a door formwork and the frame 1
．． a door attached to the means; first and second probes attached to the door aligned with the door form; and attached to the door form when the door moves from an open position to a closed position; An interlocking switch for electrical appliances having a housing of an interlocking switch engageable with the probe means (1. a first contact portion located near the fixed end;
and a second contact portion located closer to the free end than the fixed end on the opposite side; a second switch element having a contact surface in contact with the second contact portion of the common-i-nona element; 3 switch elements; the first probe is connected to the contact surface of the second switch element;
- breaking contact between the first contact portions of the common switch element, and the probes causing the contact surfaces of the third switch element and the second contact portion of the common switch element to contact each other when the door is open; ; Interlocking switch. 7.1 In an interlock switch for electrical appliances having a switch element: first and second switch elements in a normally cut-off state; and a third switch element in a normally cut-off state relative to the second switch element;
switch element; operable by closure of said door, said first and second switch element;
a first actuator for changing the switching element from a conducting state to a blocking state and moving a second switching element to a new position closer to, but not in contact with, a third switching element; and operable by closure of said door; a second actuator for moving the third switch element into contact with the second switch element at the new position; An interlocking switch consisting of; 8. further comprising a pair of switch elements normally in a disconnection state, mounted in a plane below said first, second and third switch elements and movable to a conduction state by operation of said first actuator; An interlocking switch according to claim 7. 9. Claims in which the first actuator includes; a slider movable within a sliding guide; and an actuator arm that moves the pair of switch elements from a blocking position to a conducting position in response to operation of the first actuator. The interlocking switch according to paragraph 8. 10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising actuator pin means attached to the slider for moving the first and second switch elements from the conducting position to the blocking position in response to the operation of the first actuator. Interlocking switch. 11. The interlock switch of claim 8, wherein one end of said second switch element is permanently connected to one end of one of said pair of switch elements in a normally shut off position. 12. Claim 7, wherein the first actuator is operable upon at least partial closure of the door and the second actuator is operable upon complete closure of the door.
The interlocking switch described in section. 13. In an interlock switch for an electrical appliance having probe means mounted on one side of the product: a housing; a plurality of switch elements mounted within the housing and substantially isolated from the environment outside the housing; and at least one an actuator means mounted on the exterior of the housing, the part of which is biased at least partially into the housing by the probe means upon closing of the door to change the position of at least one of the switch elements; Interlocking switch. 14. An interlocking switch according to claim 13, wherein the actuator means is biased against the force of the probe means. 15. An interlock switch according to claim 14, in which the actuator means returns to its initial position upon opening of the door. 16. An interlock switch according to claim 13, wherein said actuator means includes a contact surface arranged to be brought into contact upon closing of the door by alignment with said probe means.